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- Location: Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region

Perched on top of Hongshan Mountain in the center of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, 3,600 meters above sea level, Potala Palace (布达拉宫) was first built in 641 by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to greet his bride Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It then became the chief residence of the Dalai Lama after it was reconstructed by the Fifth Dalai Lama between 1645 and 1693.

The stone-and-wood-structured Potala Palace consists of the White Palace and Red Palace. The White Palace, comprising halls, temples and courtyards, serves as the living quarters of the Dalai Lama. The Red Palace includes various chambers for worshipping Buddha and chambers housing the eight stupa that contain the remains of fifth through thirteenth Dalai Lama. All the stupas are covered with gold foil. The most magnificent stupa belongs to the fifth Dalai Lama. It is 14.85 meters tall and inlaid with pearl and jade. The palace also collected a large number of sculptures, murals, scripture and other valuable cultural relics.

Travel tips:

1. Please be respectful when visiting the Tibetan Buddhism by taking off your hats and not taking pictures;

2. Tickets are limited: 700 a day for common visitors. Ticket vouchers are available 5 p.m. the day before, and each person can receive one good for four tickets with his or her ID. you can purchase the tickets with the voucher at the entrance.

- Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

- Admission: 200 yuan (May 1 – Oct. 31)

                        100 yuan (Nov. 1 - April 30)

- How to get there: take taxi and the price is around 10 yuan (remember to bargain with the taxi driver);

                                   take personal bus and the price is around 2 yuan.